Alabama coroner dies after accidentally dragged by truck driven by his father

FLORENCE, Ala. -- The driver of a truck and trailer that accidentally dragged Colbert County Coroner Carlton Utley to death on Monday has been identified as the 39-year-old victim's father.

Carlton Utley is pictured holding one of his children. Utley, Colbert County's coroner, died Monday.Michelle Utley

Utley, also known as "Heath," was attending to personal business on Court Street in downtown Florence when his father dropped him off at the corner of Tombigbee Street, police said. Police did not release the father's name.

Florence police traffic Officer Alan Hooper said Utley attempted to cross the street by stepping between the truck and trailer. Utley's father apparently did not see his son and thought he had cleared the area, so he began driving the truck.

By the time Utley's father reached the corner of Seminary and Irvine streets, another driver flagged him down because something was dragging beneath the truck. When Utley's father got out of the truck, he found his son's body.

"We believe this was an unfortunate accident that occurred in our city," said Hooper in an email to AL.com. Police do not expect any criminal charges to be filed.

Carlton Utley is pictured with his family.Michelle Utley

The investigation into the crash is continuing, Hooper said.

Utley was in his second term as Colbert County Coroner. He first ran for the office in 2006. The 39-year-old leaves behind a wife and children. A gofundme account has been set up to raise money for the costs of Utley's funeral services. As of Tuesday evening, the account raised more than $2,700 of its $5,000 goal

Utley's career in emergency services began more than 20 years ago. He has been an EMT in Colbert and Lawrence Counties. At the time of his death, Utley was a volunteer firefighter in Spring Valley and a paramedic for Keller Ambulance Service.

"Thank you for the Prayers and Thoughts," Spring Valley Volunteer Fire Department posted on Facebook Monday afternoon. "All of us here in Spring Valley Volunteer Fire Department are terribly saddened at our loss."